Utility Providers in Columbus, MT

Most residential water/sewer accounts in Columbus are billed quarterly (every three months), not monthly. This often leads to “bill shock” for new residents who are used to smaller monthly payments. However, the Department of Public Utilities is currently piloting a transition to monthly billing for some residential accounts.

Note: Your bill includes water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater charges combined.

If you live in a large apartment complex (common in the Short North, Arena District, or Grandview), your building may use a “sub-metering” company like Nationwide Energy Partners (NEP) or American Power & Light (APL). In this scenario, the landlord buys power in bulk and resells it to you. Because the account is in the landlord’s name, you are not eligible to shop for third-party suppliers or use the “Energy Choice” program.

It is not required for safety, but many residents prefer one. Columbus water is softened at the treatment plants to approximately 120 ppm or 7 grains per gallon, which is considered “moderately hard.” Without a softener, you may notice white calcium scaling on glass shower doors, faucets, and coffee makers over time.

For a standard 915-square-foot apartment (approx. 2 bedrooms), the average total utility cost (electric, gas, water, trash) is around $271 per month. This is slightly higher than the national average due to the region’s distinct summer (A/C) and winter (Heating) seasons.

Columbus does not follow a “move it to the next day” rule for every holiday. Instead, your pickup day rotates. If your color is Ruby and your day is Monday, and a holiday occurs, your day shifts to Tuesday. It is best to check the PickUp CBUS app or the color-coded calendar, as the schedule can be confusing during holiday weeks.

• Electric: Yes. AEP Ohio and the Division of Power may require a security deposit for new customers or those without established credit. AEP allows you to waive this if you provide a letter of credit from a previous utility.

• Natural Gas: Columbia Gas may charge a deposit if you cannot demonstrate creditworthiness.

• Water: The City of Columbus Division of Water generally does not charge a deposit for water/sewer service.

It depends on your grid.

• If your bill comes from AEP Ohio: Report it at aepohio.com or call 1-800-672-2231.

• If your bill comes from the City of Columbus (Division of Power): Call 614-645-7627.

Tip: Check the streetlights. If the streetlights are on wooden poles, you are likely in Division of Power territory. If they are on metal poles, you are likely in AEP territory.

Unless you actively opt out or already subscribe to a private retail supplier, AEP Ohio customers in the city are automatically enrolled in Clean Energy Columbus. For the June 2026 through June 2027 meter-read cycle, the supply rate is locked at $0.1001 per kWh for 100% renewable electricity provided by AEP Energy. This rate provides price stability against fluctuating utility standard-offer supply rates while supporting clean energy initiatives.

While AEP Ohio serves the vast majority of the city, the municipal Columbus Division of Power (DOP) operates a separate grid that supplies electricity to specific commercial corridors, streetlights, and select residential pockets (such as areas near Franklinton or Clintonville). If your home is hooked up to DOP lines, you are on a public municipal utility grid rather than AEP Ohio, meaning you do not participate in the state’s open energy choice marketplace or the Clean Energy Columbus aggregation pool.

The Columbus City Council approved a utility rate package — raising water rates by 18% and sewer rates by 8% — to finance an $8.6 billion capital improvement program. The centerpiece of this expansion is a new $2 billion water treatment plant needed to accommodate Central Ohio’s massive population surge and economic development, adding roughly $10 to $11 per month to the average residential statement.